The Rosetta spacecraft has been circling comet 67P since the beginning of August 2014. On board it is the Philae lander, which will land on the comet in November – a first in the history of spaceflight. The project managers for Philae give us an insight into how the lander will face this challenge and what sensors and experiments it carries.

In the latest issue of the DLR Magazine, we take you 400 million kilometres away for a close encounter with Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The Rosetta spacecraft has been circling the comet since the beginning of August 2014. On board it is the Philae lander, which will land on the comet in November - a first in the history of spaceflight. The project managers for Philae give us an insight into how the lander will face this challenge and what sensors and experiments it carries.

Some smaller protagonists are featured in an exceptional DLR research project - insects. Scientists want to find out how they can be prevented from affecting the aerodynamics of future aircraft wings. With this purpose, the DLR research aircraft ATRA flew low over the meadows of Magdeburg-Cochstedt airfield as an 'insect catcher'.

DLR Magazine 142/143 is once again available for delivery to your doorstep free of charge. For the online version of the DLR magazine, click here. It is also available for iPad and Android devices free of charge. These apps include additional photos, as well as explanatory videos and audio recordings of the project scientists.